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Use the top of your toilet for storage. The trick: find an attractive tray that can corral your goodies.

Liz Miller Interiors added this to 8 Ways to Spruce Up an Older Bathroom (Without Remodeling)

7. Create a diversion. The wallpaper in this example goes a long way toward neutralizing the tile color, because it is dramatically dark instead of a lighter gray, which would have brought attention back to the tiles. The black motifs in the wallpaper tie in with the black accents in the tilework and add some interest to keep the eye moving around the space. Your wallpaper can have as much color and pattern as you like — it doesn’t have to be gray or another neutral. Stick to a plain shower curtain if you go for a colorful wallpaper, though, and let the wallpaper do all the work. Just make sure you have good ventilation if you have a shower in your bathroom, so that the paper does not peel off the walls. 8. Make it functional. Wall-hung or pedestal sinks are always nice to make a tight space look open, but then where does your stuff go? Older bathrooms usually do not have many towel bars or hooks. Adding a wall-hung towel rack above the tile will keep the space open but provide a fair amount of storage. Glass shelves are another alternative to keep toothbrushes, cotton swabs and other necessities organized. Even the containers you choose can add personality, a bit of helpful distraction and a level of cohesion to your bathroom. Sometimes the details can make a difference in the livability of a vintage bathroom. Don’t give up on yours just yet!More: 12 Design Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better